The experience was okey but by booking with the cruise line cost $130 and the people that just went to shore took the free shuttle to town did the same thing for about $50 a couple coz eveything was within the walking distance

What fun this day! Fun, young kids for guides. Bike was fairly easy--2 1/2 mile over rolling hills, then about 1 mile hike to a lake, then bike back for 2 1/2 mile. The equipment was first class. Good bikes, good helmets and rain gear as well (luckily we really only had a light "spritz"!)

We did this city tour and it was operated by a locally owned company although it was sold on HAL. The driver was a resident for 35 years. Her husband was a local minister and children are school teachers. She is a historian on Sitka. Her tour was wonderful. She is full of knowledge about Sitka. The church in the center of town was magnificent along with its history. The locals are very proud of it and should be. It was a quaint town very different from the ports of International jewelers and your regular knick knacks.

The only cruise ship I know of that tenders at Sitka. The downtown area is an easy walk from the tender and full of history. There's an Orthodox Christian cathedral right in the middle of main street; don't miss going inside. We also went to a dance presentation of Russian folk music; all the dancers are volunteers and work in town at a variety of jobs. Another part of the tour includes going to a state-operated history of museum with amazing artifacts of the Tlingit tribe. The one and only drug store in Sitka is worth a stop; there's a '50s soda fountain of all things! Since it's the only drug store on the island, it's stocked as good as, if not better, than any major chain in the Lower 48!

Sitka is a tender port. What's nice is that it only has 1 ship at a time and doesn't feel as touristy as some of the other ports. The Visitor's Shuttle starts running at 9a. For $10/pp you get a ticket to get on and off all day. The shuttle makes several stops throught the town and runs every 30 min.

Our first stop was the Raptor Center. This is a nonprofit rehab facility for birds of prey. They take in sick and injured birds from all over the country, but specialize in eagles, ravens and owls. They have a vet clinic, a rehab area for birds that are about to be released to the wild, and several habitat areas for birds whose injuries do not allow them to return to the wild. It was quite interesting to see the birds up close. The grounds are also beautiful with wooded forest, trails, and Indian River running through it. It's $19/pp and I think highly worth it.

Our next stop was Totem Park or properly known as the Sitka National Historic Park. This is a national park and admission is free. There is a video and exhibits on the Tlinglit people. There are also lots of trails with recreations of totem poles. An audio tour is available via telephone. The number is posted on the totem poles. It was very scenic and educational at the same time.

Eagles every where - just like gulls - all over the place! The tour gave a good over view of the city and it's history. The Raptor Center was great- sat within 6 feet of than Eagle ( wounded) loved what they do with helping the wildlife.